The Star-Touched Queen

By: Roshani Chokshi

Narrated by: Priya Ayyar

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you're only 17?

Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of Death and Destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father's kingdom. Though she's content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar.

Neither role is what she expected: As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds something else entirely: compassion. Protection. Desire....

But Akaran has its own secrets - thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most...including herself.

A lush and vivid story that is steeped in Indian folklore and mythology, The Star-Touched Queen is a novel that no listener will soon forget.

©2016 Roshani Chokshi (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

Enjoyable, Relaxing

I think this story had a strong start. Hinted at great powers, subtle forces moving beyond the control of the main character!

But the main story was a little flatter. Mind you, it was still a pretty enjoyable listen. It wasn't very demanding of the listener. And it's great to have a fantasy YA novel that takes place somewhere other than fake-Europe.

I recommend listening to it. But I probably won't listen to it twice

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

I'm a fan but not a star touched one

I really liked this story and wanted to love it but there were some parts in the beginning that took a while to get into. Once the second part started I was hooked. Kamala , the demon horse was fantastic and I think has more than earner her place among my top sidekicks. The story wrapped up very nicely and I wasn't left with any questions, extra hopes or even expectations.

Maybe if I had read a physical copy I would've felt more connected to the main protagonist but still, the star touched queen was an enjoyable read.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

I liked this story

Interesting story mixed with Indian and Persian myths with elements from Neil Gailman's Stardust book.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

different but amazing

this a story of lies and hopes. lies of false and hope of remembering love. at some point if was, funny,sad and heart warming. narration was great and fit the story lines. this book isn't a cliffhanger but hoping there would be another book about there life

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Beautifully written prose, but underdeveloped story

This story has some insanely beautiful descriptions. The author uses poetic and vivid language to describe various aspects in the book, but the plot line, character relationships and story arc are all EXTREMELY WEAK. For a large portion of the book I had no idea what was going on or why. I didn't feel like there was any love or bond between the two MC's. I don't think I'll be continuing on with the series. It took a lot for me to power through to the end of this book.....

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Beautifully written.

This book almost seemed like two different books from part one to part two. Both were written with such beautiful weaving of words I was captured immediately.

Maya is on a journey of discovery. She learns the strength she has within as well as details into her past that help explain her present.

The world building was at time difficult to keep up with. I listened via the Audible narration to most of this book and sometimes had to reread on my kindle to catch all the details.

If you enjoy fantasy and worlds that capture a culture so beautifully pick up this book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Beautiful but boring

I read this book. I enjoyed this book. I do not think I want to read the sequels. The story was beautifully written and the prose was very poetic. The descriptions were marvelous and detailed...but I really don't care one way or the other about the characters. They were flat and two dimensional and the story, while moderately entertaining, lacked a sense of vitality. The narrator didn't help either--she never changed the way she read; the entire book was flat and emotionless. I could have had the computer read it for the inflection she gave.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Loved it so much!!

Any additional comments?

I adore everything about this audiobook. The narrator is excellent. She makes you feel so close to the main character. And the voices she does for some of the other characters are great. The story is awesome. The way it weaves together its big mythic elements and the daily ordinary (or extraordinary) lives of the characters is really lovely. It's funny and magical and powerful.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

different in a good way

this was so different from anything I've read, but it was so good. A completely new world was created and I enjoyed getting lost in it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Amazing Book

Fantastic characters and beautiful descriptions. I couldn't tear myself away from the story. Highly recommend.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent book, lovely setting

If you could sum up The Star-Touched Queen in three words, what would they be?

Refreshing well-written setting

Any additional comments?

The other reviewers, who comment about the lack of plot, do have a point: the plot starts relatively late, but in my opinion, the gorgeous worldbuilding more than makes up for the late start of the main plot. The world feels very real, and constantly shows that the story and world area not based on a pseudo-medieval Europe, which is very refreshing.

The characters are interesting people, with obvious inner turmoil and their own personalities.

Some of the plot feels a little stunted, but again, the worldbuilding is great and refreshing and that, in my opinion, makes the book completely worth it.

The narrator fits the story very well, and adds very much to the experience.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful